Numbers 10:1--15:41
two trumpets <02689 08147> [two trumpets.]
The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is considered. There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Eustathius shews on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was [stroggule,] turned up round, like a ram's horn; which he says the Egyptians used (from being invented by Osiris) when they assembled the people to their sacrifices. But in opposition to that form, Moses commands these to be made long, in the shape of those used at present. So Josephus informs us, who says they were near a cubit long; the tube of the thickness of a common pipe or flute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of a modern trumpet.
hammered <04749> [of a whole piece.]
assembling <04744> [the calling.]
blow <08628> [blow.]
camps <04264> [camps.]
blow ......................... sounded <08628> [ye blow.]
A single alarm was a signal for the eastward division to march; two such alarms the signal for the south; and probably three for the west, and four for the North. There appears therefore, a deficiency in the Hebrew Text, which is thus supplied by the LXX.: [kai salpieite semasian triten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai para thalassan. kai salpieite semasian tetarten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai pros bomran.] "And when ye blow a third alarm, or signal, the camps on the west shall march; and when ye blow a fourth alarm, the camps on the north shall march." This addition, however, is not acknowledged by the Samaritan, nor any other version than the Coptic, nor any MS. yet collated.
camps <04264> [the camps.]
blow <08628> [ye shall blow.]
alarm <07321> [sound.]
go <0935> [if ye go.]
opposes <06887> [oppresseth.]
alarm <07321> [then ye shall.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
time <03117> [in the day.]
memorial <02146> [a memorial.]
twentieth <06242> [An. Ex. Is 2. Ijar. on.]
The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about eleven months and twenty days (comp. Ex 19:1); and they now received the order of God to decamp, and proceed to the promised land: the Samaritan, therefore, introduces at this place, nearly the words of De 1:6-8: "And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount; turn, and take your journey, etc."
cloud <06051> [the cloud.]
So .... set <05265> [took.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [out of the.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [the wilderness.]
first <07223 05265> [the first place.]
The following is the order in which this vast company marched: Judah:----Issachar, Zebulun, Gershonites, and Merarites, bearing the tabernacle. Reuben:---Simeon, Gad, Kohathites, with the sanctuary. Ephraim:--Manasseh, Benjamin. Dan:------Asher, Naphtali. Among other things, it should be remarked, that, according to a well-known rule of military tactics, the advanced, and rear-guards, were stronger then the centre.
[See]
Nahshon <05177> [Nahshon.]
tabernacle .................. tabernacle <04908> [the tabernacle.]
sons ...... sons <01121> [the sons.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elizur <0468> [Elizur.]
Simeonites <08095> [Simeon.]
Eliasaph <0460> [Eliasaph.]
tribe ....... son <01121> [son of Reuel.]
Kohathites <06956> [the Kohathites.]
articles .......... set up <06965> [the other did. that is, the Gershonites and the Merarites.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elishama <0476> [Elishama.]
Gamaliel <01583> [Gamaliel.]
Abidan <027> [Abidan.]
camp ............... camps <04264> [the camp.]
guard <0622> [the rereward.]
Ahiezer <0295> [Ahiezer.]
Pagiel <06295> [Pagiel.]
Ahira <0299> [Ahira.]
These <0428> [Thus were. Heb. These. according.]
[Reuel.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<03212> [come.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
places <03651> [forasmuch.]
As the Israelites were under the immediate direction of God himself, and were guided by the pillar of cloud and fire, it might be supposed that they had no need of Hobab. But it should be remembered, that the cloud directed only their general journeys, not their particular excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still. (ch. 13; 20; 31; 32.)
guide <05869> [instead of eyes.]
mountain <02022> [the mount.]
ark <0727> [the ark.]
traveled ..................... traveling before <05265 06440> [went before.]
resting place <04496> [a resting place.]
Rise .... Lord <06965 03068> [Rise up, Lord.]
Return ... Lord <07725 03068> [Return, O Lord.]
thousands ... Israel <0505 03478 07233> [many thousands of Israel. Heb. ten thousand thousands.]
people <05971> [And when.]
complained <0596> [complained. or, were as it were complainers. it displeased the Lord. Heb. it was evil in the ears of the Lord.]
fire <0784> [and the fire.]
outer parts <07097> [the uttermost.]
cried <06817> [cried.]
prayed <06419> [prayed.]
fire <0784> [the fire.]
died out <08257> [was quenched. Heb. sunk.]
Taberah <08404> [Taberah. that is, a burning.]
[the mixed.]
craved <0183> [fell a lusting. Heb. lusted a lust. the children.]
wept again <07725 01058> [wept again. Heb. returned and wept. Who shall.]
fish <01710> [the fish.]
cucumbers <07180> [the cucumbers.]
In Hebrew, {kishshuim,} in Arabic, {kiththa,} Chaldee, {keta,} and Syriac, {kati,} a species of cucumber peculiar to Egypt, smooth, of a longish cylindrical shape, and about a foot long. Prosper Alpinus says that it differs from the common sort by its size, colour, and softness; that its leaves are smaller, whiter, softer, and rounder; its fruit larger, greener, smoother, softer, sweeter, and more easy of digestion than ours. Hasselquist describes it in the same manner; and adds, that it is very little watery, but firm like a melon, sweet and cool to the taste, but not so cold as the watermelon, which is meant by the {avutichim} of the text.
manna <04478> [the manna.]
<05869> [colour thereof as the colour of. Heb. eye of it as the eye of. bdellium.]
people <05971> [the people.]
baked .... pans <01310 06517> [baked it.]
tasted <02940> [taste of it.]
weeping .... families <01058 04940> [weep throughout.]
anger <0639> [the anger.]
Moses .......................... Moses <04872> [Moses.]
afflicted <07489> [Wherefore hast thou.]
The complaint and remonstrance of Moses in these verses serve at once to shew the deeply distressed state of his mind, and the degradation of the minds of the people.
found <04672> [wherefore have.]
Carry ..... arms ...... bears <05375 02436> [Carry them.]
father <0539> [as a nursing.]
land <0127> [the land.]
me like .... kill ... immediately <02026> [kill me.]
see <07200> [let me not.]
trouble <07451> [my wretchedness.]
Two of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts read, "their wretchedness." The Jerusalem Targum has the same, and adds, by way of explanation, "who are thine own people."
seventy <07657> [seventy.]
officials <07860> [officers.]
come down <03381> [I will come.]
speak ........ take part <01696 0680> [talk with.]
take part <0680> [I will take.]
bear ................ bear <05375> [they shall.]
Sanctify <06942> [Sanctify.]
wept <01058> [ye have wept.]
good <02895> [it was well.]
About a year before this, the people had been thus feasted for one day (Ex 16:13); but now such plenty was to be afforded them for a whole month, and they should use it so greedily, that at last they should entirely loathe the food for which they had so inordinately craved.
month <02320> [whole month. Heb. month of days.]
sick <02214> [and it.]
despised <03988> [despised.]
There is certainly a considerable measure of weakness and unbelief manifested in these complaints and questions of Moses; but his conduct appears at the same time so very simple, honest, and affectionate, that we cannot but admire it, while we wonder that he had not stronger confidence in that God, whose stupendous miracles he had so often witnessed in Egypt.
Lord ....... Lord's <03068> [Is the Lord's.]
That is, "Is the power of the Lord diminished?" That power which has been so signally displayed on your behalf, and which is as unchangeable as it is unlimited.
see <07200> [thou shalt.]
gathered <0622> [gathered.]
came down <03381> [came down.]
took <0680> [took.]
put ..... seventy <05414 07657> [gave it.]
From this place, Origen and Theodoret take occasion to compare Moses to a lamp, at which seventy others were lighted, without any diminution of its lustre.
prophesied <05012> [they prophesied.]
By prophesying here we are to understand, their performing those civil and sacred functions for which they were qualified; exhorting the people to quiet and peaceable submission, and to trust and confidence in the providence of God.
gone <03318> [went not out.]
Joshua <03091> [Joshua.]
lord <0113> [My Lord.]
jealous <07065> [Enviest.]
put <05414> [would.]
Lord's ....... Lord <03068> [that the.]
wind <07307> [a wind.]
brought <01468> [and brought.]
quail <07958> [quails.]
That the word {selav} means the quail, we have already had occasion to observe; to which we subjoin the authority of Mr. Maundrell, who visited Naplosa, (the ancient Sichem,) where the Samaritans live. Mr. Maundrell asked their chief priest what sort of animal he took the {selav} to be. He answered, they were a sort of fowls; and, by the description Mr. Maundrell perceived he meant the same kind with our quails.
day's journey ........ day's journey <01870 03117> [a day's journey. Heb. the way of a day. and as it were two cubits.]
That is, as the Vulgate renders, {Volabantque in a‰re duobus cubitis altitudine super terram,} "and they flew in the air, at the height of two cubits above the ground."
homers <02563> [homers.]
meat <01320> [And while.]
struck <05221> [smote.]
Kibroth Hattaavah <06914> [Kibroth-hattaavah. that is, the graves of lust.]
traveled <05265> [journeyed.]
Hazeroth ...... Hazeroth <02698> [unto Hazeroth.]
Hazeroth ...... Hazeroth <02698> [abode at. Heb they were in, etc.]
Miriam <04813> [Miriam.]
<03571> [Ethiopian. or, Cushite.]
married ..... married <03947> [married. Heb. taken.]
Lord ............... Lord <03068> [Hath the Lord.]
spoken ........ spoken <01696> [hath he not.]
Lord ............... Lord <03068> [And the.]
very <03966> [very.]
man <0120> [above.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
went <03318> [Come out.]
prophet <05030> [a prophet.]
vision <04759> [in a vision.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
servant <05650> [My servant.]
faithful <0539> [faithful.]
<06310> [mouth.]
riddles <02420> [dark speeches.]
form <08544> [similitude.]
afraid <03372> [were ye.]
cloud <06051> [the cloud.]
Miriam ... leprous ........ Miriam ..... leprous <04813 06879> [behold.]
leprous ............ leprous <06879> [leprous.]
hold <07896> [I beseech thee.]
hold ... sin <07896 02403> [lay not.]
Do ... let <04994> [as one dead.]
flesh <01320> [of whom.]
spit <03417> [spit.]
Shut .............. brought back <05462 0622> [let her be.]
shut outside <02351 05462> [shut out.]
people <05971> [and the.]
Miriam ................... Miriam <04813> [till Miriam.]
After <0310> [afterward.]
Hazeroth <02698> [Hazeroth.]
The exact situation of this place is unknown. Dr. Shaw computes it to be three days' journey, i.e., thirty miles from Sinai. From this passage, it appears that the wilderness of Paran commenced immediately upon their leaving this station. Calmet observes, that there is a town called Hazor in Arabia Petr‘a, in all probability the same as Hazerim, the ancient habitation of the Hivites (De 2:23); and likewise, according to all appearances, the Hazeroth, where the Hebrews encamped.
wilderness <04057> [the wilderness.]
Send ... men .................. send <07971 0582> [Send thou.]
man ... each <0376> [of every.]
leader <05387> [a ruler.]
The wilderness of Paran, says Dr. Wells, seems to have been taken in a larger, and in a stricter sense. In the larger sense, it seems to have denoted all the desert and mountainous tract, lying between the wilderness of Shur westward, and mount Seir, or the land of Edom, eastward, the land of Canaan northward, and the Red sea southward. And in this sense, it seems to have comprehended the wilderness of Sin, and the wilderness of Sinai, also the adjoining tract wherein lay Kibroth-hattaavah and Hazeroth. In this sense it may be understood in De 1:19, where, by "that great and terrible wilderness," is intended the wilderness of Paran in its largest acceptation; for, in its stricter acceptation, it seems not to have been so great and terrible a wilderness; but is taken to denote more peculiarly that part of Arabia Petr‘a which lies between mount Sinai and Hazeroth west, and mount Seir east.
Caleb <03612> [Caleb.]
Hoshea <01954> [Oshea.]
[Jehoshua.]
[Joshua.]
Hoshea <01954> [Oshea.]
Joshua <03091> [Jehoshua.]
[Jesus.]
Negev <05045> [southward.]
hill country <02022> [the mountain.]
rich <08082> [whether it be.]
be brave <02388> [good courage.]
first ripe <01061> [the firstripe.]
wilderness ... Zin <04057 06790> [from the wilderness of Zin.]
The wilderness of Zin, is different from that called Sin. (Ex 16:1.) The latter was near Egypt, but the former was near Kadesh Barnea, not far from the borders of Canaan. It seems to be the valley mentioned by Burckhardt; which, under the names of El Ghor and El Araba, form a continuation of the valley of the Jordan, extending from the Dead sea to the eastern branch of the Red sea. The whole plain presents to the view an appearance of shifting sands, whose surface is broken by innumerable undulations and low hills. A few talk, tamarisk, and rethem trees grow among the sand hills; but the depth of sand precludes all vegetation of herbage.
Rehob <07340> [Rehob.]
Rehob was a city, afterwards given to the tribe of Asher, situated near mount Lebanon, at the northern extremity of the Promised Land, on the road which leads to Hamath, and west of Laish or Dan: compare Jud 1:31; 18:28; Jos 19:28.
Hamath <02574> [Hamath.]
Ahiman <0289> [Ahiman.]
descendants <03211> [the children.]
Hebron ............. Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
Zoan <06814> [Zoan.]
valley <05158> [brook. or valley.]
Valley <05158> [brook. or valley.]
Eshcol <0812> [Eshcol. that is a cluster of grapes.]
forty days <0705 03117> [forty days.]
wilderness <04057> [unto the wilderness.]
Kadesh <06946> [Kadesh.]
strong <05794> [strong.]
saw ... descendants <07200 03211> [saw the.]
Amalekites <06002> [Amalekites.]
Hittites <02850> [the Hittites.]
presented <03318> [brought.]
land ....... land .......... land <0776> [a land.]
stature <04060 0582> [men of a great stature. Heb. men of statures.]
saw ... Nephilim .......... Nephilim <05303 07200> [saw the giants.]
seemed liked <05869> [and we were.]
murmured <03885> [murmured.]
only ............ only <03863> [Would.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
wives <0802> [our wives.]
Joshua <03091> [Joshua.]
tore ... garments <07167 0899> [rent their clothes.]
land ......... exceedingly good land <02896 0776 03966> [an exceeding good land.]
delights <02654> [delight.]
land ........ land .... flowing <0776 02100> [a land which.]
rebel <04775> [Only rebel.]
fear ............................ fear <03372> [neither.]
bread <03899> [are bread.]
[defence. Heb. shadow.]
{Tzillam,} a metaphor highly expressive of protection and support in the sultry eastern countries. (See the Parallel Passages.) The Arabs and Persians use the same word to express the same thing; using the expressions, "May the shadow {zulli} of thy prosperity be extended." "May the shadow of thy prosperity be spread over the heads of thy well-wishers." And in an elegant distich, "May your protection never be removed from my head; may God extend your shadow {zullikem} eternally." The loftiest and most esteemed title of the sultan, says Thornton, because given him by the kings of Persia, is {zil ullah,} shadow of God.
Lord .......................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
fear ............................ fear <03372> [fear them not.]
community <05712> [But all.]
glory <03519> [And the.]
people <05971> [How long will this.]
despise <05006> [provoke.]
believe ........ signs <0539 0226> [believe me.]
strike <05221> [smite.]
make <06213> [will make.]
Moses said .... Lord <04872 0559 03068> [And Moses said unto the Lord.]
From this verse to ver. 19, inclusive, we have the words of the earnest intercession of Moses: they need no explanation; they are full of simplicity and energy.
<04714> [Then the.]
heard <08085> [they have.]
seen <07200> [art seen.]
cloud ................. cloud <06051> [thy cloud.]
slow <0750> [long-suffering.]
visiting <06485> [visiting.]
forgive <05545> [Pardon.]
great <01433> [according.]
forgiven <05375> [and as thou.]
now <02008> [until now. or, hitherto.]
But truly <0199> [as truly.]
earth <0776> [all the.]
seen <07200> [which have.]
tempted <05254> [tempted.]
ten times <06471 06235> [ten times.]
means see .................. see <0518 07200> [Surely they shall not see. Heb. If they see.]
servant <05650> [my servant.]
different spirit <07307 0312> [another spirit.]
Caleb had another spirit; not only a bold, generous, courageous, noble, and heroic spirit, but the Spirit and influence of God, which thus raised him above human inquietudes and earthly fears. Therefore he followed God fully; literally, "and he filled after me:" God shewed him the way he was to take and the line of conduct he was to pursue, and he filled up this line, and in all things followed the will of his Maker.
followed ... fully <0310 04390> [followed me.]
Amalekites <06003> [the Amalekites.]
turn ... journey <06437 05265> [turn you.]
evil <07451> [How long.]
heard <08085> [I have heard.]
<03808> [As truly.]
spoken <01696> [as ye have.]
dead bodies <06297> [carcases.]
numbered <06485> [all that were.]
<03027> [sware. Heb. lifted up my hand.]
Caleb <03612> [save Caleb.]
little ones <02945> [little ones.]
said <0559> [ye said.]
enjoy <03045> [know.]
Their children, by possessing Canaan, knew what a good land their fathers had despised.
land <0776> [the land.]
wander .... wilderness ................. wilderness <07462 04057> [shall wander in the wilderness. or, feed.]
This implies, that they should move from place to place in the deserts, as the Bedounin Arabs, who have no certain dwelling, but rove about seeking pasture for their flocks.
forty years <0705 08141> [forty years.]
suffer <05375> [bear.]
number <04557> [After.]
number <04557> [the number.]
suffer for <05375> [shall ye bear.]
know <03045> [ye shall.]
thwart <08569> [breach of promise. or, altering of my purpose.]
{Tenooathi,} rather, my failure, or disannulling, from {noo,} to fail, disannul; for as they had broken their engagements, God was no longer held by his covenant.
will <0518> [I will surely.]
evil <07451> [this evil.]
men <0582> [those men.]
Thus ten of the twelve who searched out the land were struck dead, by the justice of God, on the spot. In commemoration of this event, the Jews, to this day, celebrate a fast, on the seventh day of the month Elul.
died <04191> [died.]
mourned greatly <056 03966> [mourned greatly.]
early <07925> [rose up.]
sinned <02398> [for we have sinned.]
We are sensible of our sin, and repent of it; and are now ready to do as Caleb and Joshua exhorted us. Or, though we have sinned, yet we hope God will make good his promise.
transgressing <05674> [do ye.]
succeed <06743> [but it shall.]
turned <07725> [because.]
dared <06075> [they presumed.]
This miserable people a short time ago, thought that, though Omnipotence was with them, they could not conquer and possess the land! Now they imagine, that though God himself go not with them, yet they shall be sufficient to drive out the inhabitants, and take possession of their country! Man is ever supposing he can do all things, or do nothing: he is therefore sometimes presumptuous, and at other times in despair.
ark <0727> [the ark.]
Amalekites <06003> [the Amalekites.]
Hormah <02767> [Hormah.]
It is very probable, that the transactions recorded in this and the four following chapters took place during the time the Israelites abode in Kadesh (De 1:46.)
make ...................................... create <06213> [will make.]
burnt offering <05930> [a burnt.]
sacrifice <02077> [a sacrifice.]
for discharging <06381> [performing. Heb. separating.]
freewill offering <05071> [or in a free-will.]
feasts <04150> [in your.]
aroma <05207> [a sweet.]
herd <01241> [the herd.]
Under the term {bakar,} are comprehended the ox, heifer, etc; and under {tzon,} are included sheep and goats. The animals enjoined in the Levitical law are the very same which commanded Abraham to offer. (Ge 15:9.) Hence it is evident, that God delivered to the patriarchs an epitome of that law which was afterwards given in detail to Moses, the essence of which consisted in its sacrifices; and these sacrifices were of clean animals, the most perfect, useful, and healthy of all that are brought under the immediate government of man. Gross feeding and ferocious animals were all excluded, as well as all birds of prey.
grain offering <04503> [a meat.]
fourth <07243> [the fourth.]
peace offering <08002> [peace.]
bull <01241> [with a.]
grain offering <04503> [a meat.]
One <0259> [One.]
statute ........................ statute <02708> [an ordinance.]
The oblation before prescribed seems to have been a general acknowledgment from the people at large; but this was an oblation from every one that reaped a harvest: who was required, previously to tasting it himself, to offer a portion of dough as a heave-offering to the Lord. This is supposed to have been given to the priests in their several cities, and not carried to the tabernacle.
cake <02471> [a cake.]
offering ...... raised offering <08641> [the heave-offering.]
This law concerning sins of ignorance, being entirely diverse from one before considered, occasions considerable difficulty. (Le ch. 4.) Some explain that law as relating to sins of commission, this to sins of omission: others explain the one of inadvertent violations of the moral law, and the other of the transgressions of the ceremonial law: and some think that related to the whole nation, this to any one tribe; or that to the bulk of the nation, this to the rulers and elders. The Jews say, that the former law referred to such national transgressions through heedlessness, as consisted with the maintenance of the prescribed worship in the main; but that this especially respected the case of the nation, when through inattention, and the example and authority of wicked rulers, they had turned aside and committed idolatry, or conducted their worship directly contrary to law; yet through a culpable ignorance, and not in presumption. This was evidently the case under several of their kings; and the explanation seems well grounded.
done ............. prepare <06213> [if ought.]
knowledge <05869> [without. Heb. from the eyes. one young bullock.]
grain offering <04503> [with his.]
customary <04941> [manner. or, ordinance. one kid.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
forgiven ..... unintentional ......................... unintentional <05545 07684> [forgiven them.]
one law <08451 0259> [one law.]
sins <06213> [sinneth. Heb. doeth.]
acts <06213 07311> [doeth ought.]
<07311> [presumptuously. Heb. with an high hand.]
That is, bold, daring, deliberate acts of transgression against the fullest evidence, and in despite of the Divine authority. Such conduct "reproacheth the Lord," as if his commands were needless, unreasonable, and inimical to the happiness of man; his favour were not desirable, or his wrath not to be feared: in short, as if it were more advantageous to rebel against him than to serve him. Such acts admitted of no atonement: the person was condemned to bear his own iniquity, and to be cut off.
insults <01442> [reproacheth.]
despised <0959> [despised.]
iniquity <05771> [his iniquity.]
found ... man <04672 0376> [they found a man.]
This example seems to have been evidently introduced to illustrate the foregoing law. The man despised the word of the Lord, presumptuously broke his commandment, and on this ground was punished with death.
man <0376> [The man.]
stone .... stones <07275 068> [stone him.]
tassels ...... corners ............... tassel .... corners <03671 06734> [fringes in the borders.]
The word {tzitzith} properly denotes an ornament resembling a flower. From ver. 39, we learn that these were emblematical of the commands of God. That there is any analogy between a fringe and a precept, it would be bold to assert; but when a thing is appointed to represent another, no matter how different, that first object becomes the legitimate representative or sign of the other.
remember <02142> [remember.]
follow after ....... own ....... unfaithfulness <08446 0310> [ye seek not.]
unfaithfulness <02181> [go a whoring.]
be holy <06918 01961> [be holy.]
